Oklahoma City Thunder were on the verge of their first NBA title last season, leading 1-0 over Miami in the finals but fell in a heap, losing the next four matches.

Denver are the next-best threats in the North-West Division with the Nuggets acquiring Team USA swingman Andre Iguodala in the off-season without giving up much in return.

In the second instalment in the division by division preview of the NBA for season 2012-13, Paul Suttor and Paul Zalunardo examine how the five teams in the South-West Division are shaping up.

NorthWest Division

Denver Nuggets: Tagging in late into the Dwight Howard trade could prove a mixed blessing. Team USA swingman Andre Iguodala will bring a more than solid all-round game from Philadelphia to Denver but the jury is still out on whether he will develop into a franchise star capable of leading a team deep into the post-season. Point guard Ty Lawson and Danillo Galinari give coach George Karl added potency and they should figure in the play-offs again.

Minnesota Timberwolves: If Spanish guard Ricky Rubio didn't go down with a serious knee injury last season, Minnesota may have tasted play-off action. He is not set to return until December, which means Team USA power forward Kevin Love will have to shoulder the load. Love is the sweetest shooting three-point marksman in the NBA, a great rebounder and an all-round leader but he will also miss the first few weeks of the season due to a hand injury. The West is too strong to allow this Timberwolves outfit to qualify for the big games this season. Perhaps next year.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The young stars of the NBA were ready to take the next step. They had swept the Mavericks, eliminated the Lakers, won four straight after being 2-0 down against the Spurs. The past three Western Conference kings were roadkill and after winning game one of the finals against Miami, the trophy looked a fait accompli. But the Thunder didn't win another game and all of a sudden, those questions about the chemistry between Kevin Durant, James Harden and, in particular, Russell Westbrook came bubbling back to the surface. The talent is there. It is undeniable. This is the most talented roster in the NBA with young legs driving opponents crazy. But questions remain over the Thunder's mental readiness to dominate more experienced sides at the pointy end of the season.

Portland Trail Blazers: You've got to feel sorry for the Blazers. Just when they thought everyone had forgotten about their draft day disaster in 1984 (nobody ever will) when they took Sam Bowie ahead of Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and John Stockton, they then have to deal with the Greg Oden bust. The 2007 No.1 draft pick, chosen by the Blazers ahead of Kevin Durant and Al Horford, has officially been waived after a succession of knee operations. Sadly, Oden remains without a team and may never play in the NBA again after 82 games – the equivalent of one season – over four years. Draft picks Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard are the key to Portland's future – the Blazers hope they'll be a bit luckier with their selections this time around.

Utah Jazz: The signings of Clippers guards Mo Williams and Randy Foye gives the Jazz plenty of speed in the back court but it is doubtful whether it gives them the necessary oomph to compete with the elite teams in the West. Hawks forward Marvin Williams is another solid contributor but with several teams below them from last season improving their rosters during the break, Utah are under pressure to remain in the play-off equation.

27 Oct
BOSTON are ageing but still in contention for the NBA crown but Philadelphia have emerged as one of the dark horses from the Eastern Conference after snaring Lakers All-Stars centre Andrew Bynum.